Abstract
This study examines the burden of occupational health risks among a convenience sample of three immigrant worker populations
(Brazilian, Haitian, and El Salvadoran) in Somerville, Massachusetts. In this community based research initiative (n = 346),
logistic regression is used to analyze immigrant occupational health survey data collected from 2006 to 2009. In this study, injuries at work were significantly associated with lower English proficiency (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI 1.1–3.0), workers between
the ages of 46 and 65 (OR = 2.7, 95 % CI 1.0–7.0), service workers (OR = 13.8, 95 % CI 1.8–105.2), production workers (OR = 10.8,
95 % CI 1.3–90.1), construction workers (OR: 21.7, 95 % CI 2.8–170.9) and immigrants with no health insurance (OR = 1.8, 95 %
CI 1.0–3.1). Injuries were negatively associated with years in the US with more established immigrants in the US >15 years
reporting more injuries at work. Older immigrants who have been in the US longer but are less proficient in English, and are
still employed in low-wage occupations with no health insurance suffered more injuries than recent immigrants. Further validation
of this result is required.
(Brazilian, Haitian, and El Salvadoran) in Somerville, Massachusetts. In this community based research initiative (n = 346),
logistic regression is used to analyze immigrant occupational health survey data collected from 2006 to 2009. In this study, injuries at work were significantly associated with lower English proficiency (OR = 1.8, 95 % CI 1.1–3.0), workers between
the ages of 46 and 65 (OR = 2.7, 95 % CI 1.0–7.0), service workers (OR = 13.8, 95 % CI 1.8–105.2), production workers (OR = 10.8,
95 % CI 1.3–90.1), construction workers (OR: 21.7, 95 % CI 2.8–170.9) and immigrants with no health insurance (OR = 1.8, 95 %
CI 1.0–3.1). Injuries were negatively associated with years in the US with more established immigrants in the US >15 years
reporting more injuries at work. Older immigrants who have been in the US longer but are less proficient in English, and are
still employed in low-wage occupations with no health insurance suffered more injuries than recent immigrants. Further validation
of this result is required.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9702-7
- Authors
- Bindu Panikkar, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
- Mark A. Woodin, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
- Doug Brugge, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Anne Marie Desmarais, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
- Raymond Hyatt, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University, Boston, MA, USA
- Community Partners of the Somerville Community Immigrant Worker Project
- David M. Gute, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912